Check out this week's updates, information, and upcoming events at Goochland High School. The Bulldog Bulletin is your weekly look into the great things happening at GHS. Go Bulldogs!
💥💥Bulldog Recognitions💥💥
Congratulations to Mrs. Sara Cocke (Science Department) - scocke@glnd.k12.va.us, and Mrs. Erinne Smitherman (Fine Arts Department) - esmitherman@glnd.k12.va.us for being awarded our September Faculty Bulldog BARKS award. We received over 50 staff member nominations from our faculty, students, and parents. Thank you to all who nominated one of our staff members. All nominations will be shared with those individual staff members! Please take a moment to congratulate Mrs. Cocke and Mrs. Smitherman!
THIS WEEK at GHS
Attendance Awareness Month - Throughout September, we take time to highlight the importance of school attendance and its impact on students’ future success. When attendance is improved, so are academic achievements and graduation rates. At the end of the month, students with perfect attendance for the month of September will be celebrated with free ice cream in the cafeteria. Join us in talking with your students this month about the importance of regular school attendance and reflecting on your expectations for their attendance. We have also created a vacation planner for quick reference when planning trips around school days. Thank you in advance for your support!
Hispanic Heritage Month - Hispanic Heritage Month begins Tuesday, September 15th - Thursday, October 15th. To celebrate, students in the Goochland High School ESL classes and Spanish IV Honors class have put together daily trivia questions for our morning announcements. Students will have the opportunity to win prizes for participating and answering correctly. Students will also have a chance to participate in several “pop-up” events during Bulldog Block. We will end the month with an assembly on Monday, October 12th. This assembly will feature musical and dance performances. This celebration will be an opportunity to highlight the contributions, influence, and achievements of Hispanic people in our world today. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. David (mdavid@glnd.k12.va.us) or Ms. Exum (oexum@glnd.k12.va.us).
Academic Awards Night - Our Academic Awards Night will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. If your student is receiving an award, you should have been contacted by our counseling team. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ferrell (rferrell@glnd.k12.va.us).
GHS Club Fair - We will be holding our annual Club Fair on Thursday, September 24th during 4th block in the Learning Commons. This is an opportunity for our clubs to showcase what they do and a chance for our students to explore the variety of clubs that GHS offers. Seniors with early release will get a chance to attend from 1:40 - 1:55 pm. All other students will rotate through the club fair with their 4th block class. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Fowler (jfowler@glnd.k12.va.us).
Athletic Boosters Meeting - The Athletic Boosters will meet on Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 in the GHS cafeteria. You can join in virtually using the following link.
SAT Prep- The Goochland Education Foundation and Huntington Learning Center are partnering to offer SAT Practice Test Prep for Goochland High School students. The next practice test will be on Saturday, September 26th at 9:30 AM at Goochland High School in Room C143. The feedback session will be held on Wednesday, September 30th at 7:00 PM at Goochland High School in C143. Please go to the FLYER for more information and registration links. The Goochland Education Foundation will support any student who cannot pay the $25 registration fee. The registration deadline is 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 24th. There will be another session in March if your child cannot attend these dates.
All Night Graduation (ANG) - ANG will host Bingo on Saturday, September 26th in the GHS Cafeteria. The doors open at 5:30 pm, and games begin at 6:00 pm. Presale packets are available at River Road Cottage & Market: $20 for 12 games with 12 cards per game. We will have fun prizes and raffles! Sign up to volunteer or donate.
Athletics and Activities - Please visit www.GoochlandBulldogs.com for up-to-date schedule information. You can also follow us on Instagram @GoochlandSports. You can also watch many of these events live-streamed at www.NFHSNetwork.com. Feel free to contact Mr. Joe Fowler (jfowler@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions or need more information.
THIS MONTH at GHS
SAT and PSAT Registration - Goochland High School is pleased to offer students opportunities to take the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT during October 2026. Please review the information linked here, as the registration process is different for each testing opportunity. Within this message, there are September and October deadlines.
Advance College Academy (ACA) Applications - Advance College Academy (ACA) is a dual enrollment program between Goochland High School and Reynolds Community College that allows students to earn a transferable associate's degree in social science while in high school. This degree is designed to fulfill many general education requirements at four-year colleges, and the classes are taught on the campus of Goochland High School. ACA applications are open for current 9th and 10th-grade students until Wednesday, September 30th. Previously admitted students need not reapply. To be eligible for ACA admission, a student must:
complete Algebra II no later than 10th grade with a final grade of C or higher,
complete a third year of language by the end of junior year, and
be capable of maintaining a 3.0 high school GPA.
Applications are available online HERE! If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor or Anne Marie Hudak (amhudak@glnd.k12.va.us), GCPS Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment (3E) Specialist.
Custodian Appreciation Day - Please join me in recognizing our amazing custodians at Goochland High School on National Custodial Appreciation Day, Friday, October 2nd. Our outstanding staff consists of Janet Senegar, Jose Davis, Joshua Tolbert, George Jackson, Dorothy Pleasant, Howard Shelton, Orelia Tyler, and MacArthur Woodson (GTech). They are the folks who keep our building sanitary and clean throughout the school year, and we truly appreciate all they do to support our Bulldog Family. If you see them in the hallways or after school during an event, please take a moment to thank them for all they do.
Goochland County Fire-Rescue Show - The Goochland County Fire-Rescue Department is planning a Fire-Rescue Show for Saturday, October 3rd, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm in the back parking lot at Goochland High School. The Fire-Rescue Show is a jam-packed evening of fire and EMS demonstrations, safety exhibits, a children’s fire rodeo, door prizes, food trucks, and fireworks at the end, promoting National Fire Prevention Week. Please consider coming out and spending an evening with your local firefighters and EMS providers. Smoke Alarms save lives! Please ensure that your home has a working smoke alarm. Smoke Alarms are available at no cost, including free installation, by contacting your local Fire-Rescue Station or by calling Goochland County Fire-Rescue Administration at 804-556-5304.
Fall Chorus Concert - The Goochland Choral Department invites you to kick off the season with our Fall Concert on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 pm in the GHS Auditorium! The program will feature all of our middle school choirs, along with our four high school ensembles: Concert Choir, Show Choir, Treble Choir, and the Chamber Ensemble! This free concert is a wonderful way for our community to come together and celebrate our students’ hard work and love of music. We look forward to seeing you there!
Underclassmen Pictures - 9th-11th grade students will take their yearbook portraits through their English classes on Monday, October 12 (Day 2) and Tuesday, October 13 (Day 1). Order forms will be going home through English classes closer to the date, but you can also order online by going to Strawbridge.net and entering code “PX516689”. Check out the linked Underclassmen Fall Portraits flier for more information. Please contact Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) with any questions!
PTSA Update - The PTSA is excited to provide popcorn treats to all students during lunch on Tuesday, October 13th, and a catered lunch to teachers on Thursday, October 15th during parent-teacher conferences. A sign-up list for volunteers for the popcorn lunch will be coming next week, but if you are able to donate to the teachers’ lunch, please use the attached Givebacks link HERE.
Goochland Drama Presents: The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) - The Goochland Drama Department’s fall play is the hilarious, Tony Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition)! In the play, the Cornley Drama Society is putting on a classic murder mystery for their community—but as you might expect, absolutely nothing goes according to plan! This 95-minute comedic farce is a play-within-a-play where forgotten lines, missed cues, and plenty of unexpected mishaps turn a simple whodunnit into complete theatrical chaos. For this production, we have two casts! One cast will perform our evening performances, while the other cast will take the stage for our matinee performances. That means you have multiple opportunities to come see our students bring this hilarious show to life! Make a plan to come see our show—you won’t want to miss what happens when everything that can go wrong… goes wrong!
Showtimes and Dates:
Friday, October 16th at 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 17th at 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 17th at 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 18th at 2:00 pm
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and Golden Bulldog Card members. GCPS employees receive free admission. For more information, visit drama.goochlandschools.org. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Burch (nburch@glnd.k12.va.us).
Homecoming Details - Spirit Week Days:
Monday, October 19th - Anything but a Backpack
Tuesday, October 20th - Toy Tuesday (Toy Story characters, cowboys/girls, Space Rangers, aliens, etc.)
Wednesday, October 21st - Frat v. Country (wear your preppiest or your most county look)
Thursday, October 22nd - Heroes v. Villains (Dress as your favorite good or bad guy/ girl)
Friday, October 23rd - Bold Red & Gold (Show off your Bulldog spirit)
Powder Puff Football Game: The game will occur on Thursday, October 22, at 8:00 pm at the stadium. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Funkhouser (jfunkhouser@glnd.k12.va.us).
Senior Parking Spot Challenge - Attention seniors, we are pleased to announce our first parking spot chalk decorating challenge! Seniors will be able to decorate their assigned parking spots with chalk on Wednesday, October 21st, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm! Our administration will judge the spots and announce a winner on Thursday morning!
Pep Rally: The pep rally will take place on Friday, October 23rd. If your student would prefer not to attend, please fill out this quick form for Mrs. Coiner. Thank you!
Floats: Does your club or sports team want to create a float for our Homecoming Parade before the Homecoming Game on Friday, October 3rd? Reach out to Mrs. Tate (rtate@glnd.k12.va.us) for more information. We can't wait to see your Bulldog pride on display!
Hallway Decorating: Students may decorate grade-level hallways from 3:40 - 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 22nd. No decorations can be on floors or hung more than 2 feet from the ceiling. Clean-up will begin at 7:30 pm, and no new decorations may go up on the walls after 7:45 pm. Hallways must be clear of students and supplies at 8:00 pm.
Powderpuff Football Game: The game will occur on Thursday, October 22nd at 8:00 pm. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Funkhouser (jfunkhouser@glnd.k12.va.us).
Dance Ticket Sales: Tickets for the Homecoming Dance will be available for purchase starting Friday, October 9th - Thursday, October 22nd, during lunches. Tickets are $10 each and can only be purchased by cash or check. Non-GHS guests must have a dance guest form submitted before having a ticket purchased for them. Tickets will not be sold at the door!
Dance: The Homecoming Dance will take place on Saturday, October 24th, from 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the GHS gym. Please be aware that bags and water bottles will be checked in by GHS staff at the entrance. Students will not be permitted to go out to their cars and return to the dance. We appreciate your cooperation as we prioritize the well-being of our students! Water and light refreshments will be provided, and Kona Ice will be available for purchase, beginning at 8:00 pm.
REMINDERS
Backpacks for Love - Backpacks of Love, Inc. is a local charity that was formed to provide food for school children over the weekend. Children who need such food will receive a small bag of food and snacks on the last day of the school week. The food exchange will be handled in a discreet manner, where the student will pick up a bag of food from the front office on their way home. If you would like your child(ren) to participate in this program, please contact Helen Brown (hbrown@glnd.k12.va.us) or your child’s school counselor for a permission slip.
Bulldog Gear - Check out our online school store. We have hundreds of products that can be customized to show your GHS spirit! Purchases are shipped directly to your home. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Fowler (jfowler@glnd.k12.va.us).
Early College Scholars Award - The Early College Scholars program allows high school students to earn a minimum of 15 transferable college credits while fulfilling the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma. The result? A more productive high school experience and significant savings on college tuition costs. To qualify for this program, students need to meet these criteria: Maintain a "B" average or better in high school courses; be pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma; and complete college-level coursework, such as AP or dual enrollment, to earn at least 15 transferable college credits. To formalize participation, students and parents/guardians must sign a Governor's Early College Scholars Agreement and return it to the school counseling office (printed copies are available in the school counseling office). We'll take it from there, getting the other necessary signatures! This agreement form acknowledges a student's commitment to excellence and dedication to shaping a promising future. Once a student fulfills the program's criteria, they are recognized with a certificate as an Early College Scholar at their senior awards assembly. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Anne Marie Hudak (amhudak@glnd.k12.va.us).
Electronic Distribution of Flyers - Throughout the 26.27 school year, please visit this website for upcoming events or activities throughout the Goochland community.
Parking Pass Update -All eligible students may purchase a parking pass. Only 5 passes remain! Due to a lack of remaining passes, the Givebacks link is currently closed. Please reach out to Mr. King if you would still like to purchase a pass, and the fee will be assigned to your account by Ms. Stuck. The cost for a parking pass is $75.00. Once the purchase is complete, students must complete this application. Applications must be printed and submitted in person. Students should only park in their assigned spot. Please email Mr. King (cking@glnd.k12.va.us) with any questions.
Yearbooks - Yearbooks are for sale! Please consider purchasing your 2026-2027 yearbook now. Yearbooks will be $60 through the end of the year and $70 starting January 1, 2027. Make sure to order your yearbook through the Jostens website. Please contact Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions. We will have a spring release this year, so yearbooks will be in your hands before we leave for the summer!
Senior Class of 2027
All Night Graduation (ANG) - Thank you to everyone who volunteered last weekend to make the ANG car wash a success!
Monthly Meeting - The next ANG meeting will be on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00 pm. Families, seniors, teachers, staff, and community supporters - all are welcome! It will be held in the conference room at 2748 Dogtown Rd (Central High Cultural and Educational Complex). You can join the virtual meeting using this link.
The 13th Annual Noel November Holiday Bazaar - This year’s bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 7th, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at Goochland High School. We NEED vendors! Please email goochlandang@gmail.com with questions.
Volunteers needed for the indoor concessions fundraiser - Volunteers are needed to run the concession stand during home volleyball games. We are in need of 2 adults and 2 students per game. All seniors and family members will earn tickets for the end-of-year senior party prizes. Please sign up here.
Bulldog Cards - Support the senior class and enjoy various discounts and perks at local businesses! Cards are $10 each and will be available for purchase at home sporting events. If you are unable to attend and would like to purchase a card, please email goochlandang@gmail.com.
Stay informed
Facebook: GCPS Class of 2027
Instagram: @ghs_ang27
Email: For questions or to be added to the ANG email list, please contact us at goochlandang@gmail.com
We look forward to working together to celebrate our seniors, and we thank you for your support!
Senior Projects - This website can provide details on requirements, deadlines, and more! This year, students will complete a total of 20 service hours, 10 hours due in January and 10 hours due in April. Students will not be permitted to walk at the GHS graduation ceremony unless they complete their senior project. Lastly, Blue Ridge Virginia Governor's School students complete a separate senior project. Please contact Mallory McMullin (mmcmullin@glnd.k12.va.us) with any questions.
Financial Aid Support - Our GRASP Advisor this year is Mrs. Lissa Gupton. Ms. Gupton will be at Goochland High School on Wednesdays to help students and families with how to pay for post-secondary education. You can schedule an appointment with Mrs. Gupton today or email her at goochland@grasp4va.org. The FAFSA opens on Wednesday, October 1st.
College Application and Resume Writing Workshops- The School Counselors will be holding college application and resume writing workshops on Thursday, October 9th, and Friday, October 10th, during your child’s senior English class. Students will have the opportunity to work on college applications, scholarship applications, or update their resumes in the Learning Commons.
Senior Portraits - Seniors will have one last chance to take a yearbook portrait at school on Thursday, October 8th, or Friday, October 9th. Any student who has not yet taken a portrait at school will be scheduled by Mrs. Mistler on one of those days. Be on the lookout for the schedule published on Canvas the week before retakes. This is the last chance to take a senior yearbook portrait at school, so don’t miss your appointment!
If you took pictures in August but want to schedule a retake, please email Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) to get on the retake schedule.
If you plan on taking your portraits with an outside photographer, please plan to have a digital file sent to Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) by Tuesday, December 1. The requirements for senior portraits taken with other photographers are: blue background; vertical, formal poses; 300 dpi; wallet-size crop.
Class of ‘27 Graduation Details - Please mark your calendars for our GHS class of 2027 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 22nd at 7:30 pm at the GHS Stadium. The rain date will be Sunday, May 23rd at 7:30 pm. We will have follow-up details in the coming months regarding the senior students' last day of school, senior exam week, etc.